MAY 23, 2023 BUMPY, CHILLY OCEAN WITH LIGHT WIND

 

MAY 23, 2023

BUMPY, CHILLY OCEAN WITH LIGHT WIND

I got to the harbor early in the afternoon and the flags were showing a light breeze from the Northwest.  Predictions were for 10 knot winds to persist through the evening.  Are predictions ever right?  We left the harbor at 5 o’clock and there was a steady light breeze across the bay.  We arrived at the start mark area and determined the wind was from 230 degrees and set a line square to this mark.  We were encouraged by the strength of the wind and started considering longer courses, but settled for a slightly shorter course Whiskey 3 : Start, Schuyler, Blacks and finish.

We blew the “10-minute horn” and both fleets got off to a clean start.  Pair A Dice did a port tack start at the outer end of the line and had to duck a few boats, but we were making good time until we tried to tack outside.  Tacking  outside had us straight into the waves which really slowed us down. The  light, shifty wind with waves on the bow was painstakingly slow.  I just could not seem to get the boat up to speed.  The first A fleet boat to round Schuyler was Aboriginal, followed by Watts Moore, Double Espresso, Yellow Belly, Good Timin’, Aquavit and Rosie.  The first of B fleet to round was Nidaros followed by Zoop, Avatar, Perfect 36, Simpatico, Toad, Pacific Spirit and Pair A Dice.

Sailing down wind always makes the wind feel lighter and this evening was no exception.   Blacks looked like it was very far away as we slowly crept toward it.  Understandably, several boats chose to retire to       the warmth and ambiance of the bar.  

Aboriginal was the first of A fleet over the finish line 59:04 followed by Watts Moore 1:05:46,  Yellow Belly 1:13:15,  Wind II 1:14:23,  Good Timin’ 1:14:42, Aquavit 1:20:01 and Rosie 1:29:39.  The first B fleet to finish was Zoop 1:24:02 followed by Nidaros 1:25:39, Perfect 36 1:27:19, Avatar 1:31:30, Simpatico 1:33:08, Big Mac 1:33:40 and  Pair A Dice 1:38:02.  All times are elapsed and the course distance was 4.6 NM.

This was an interesting night of sailing with many boats retiring.  In retrospect, the course I chose was too long and with the bumpy, chilly ocean with light wind I understand why boats retired.

PHRF ADJUSTED RESULTS:

PLACE                   BOAT                                     ADJUSTED TIME

A FLEET:

1             WATTS MOORE                                 54:16

2             ABORIGINAL                                    56:32

3             WIND II                                               58:03

4             YELLOW BELLY                               1:02:26

5             GOOD TIMIN’                                    1:03:53

6             AQUAVIT                                           1:14:29

7             ROSIE                                                 1:17:13

B FLEET:

1             ZOOP                                    1:12:59

2             PERFECT 36                        1:16:16

3             BIG MAC                              1:16:38

4             NIDAROS                             1:17:22

5             SIMPATICO                         1:20:29

6             AVATAR                                1:21:22

7             PAIR A DICE                         1:24:14

RACE QS:

This system has had its problems recently.  Sometimes it cannot be opened and sometimes only one boat is displayed alone with no fleet.  Other times, tracks just stop in the middle of the race for no known reason.  In this race Toad finished in front of us but their track froze halfway between Schuyler and Blacks.  Double Espresso did well in the race, but his track froze at Blacks.

The track for this evening “may” be found at: 

https://raceqs.com/tv-beta/tv.htm#userId=1011017&divisionId=89872&updatedAt=2023-05-24T03:08:55Z&dt=2023-05-23T17:45:17-07:00..2023-05-23T20:02:53-07:00&boat=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&time=1684896207899&focus=SAILING%20PAIR%20A%20DICE&rival=TOAD&tab=match&view=follow&lat=36.952706&lon=-121.984020&tilt=3&range=9853&heading=354

DEALING WITH UNUSUAL CONDITIONS:

This evening was an education for me as we made several errors.  I found it difficult steering directly into the waves with light wind.  We should have continued on port tack even if the wind was a little lighter inside, we could have used the shelter of the point to find flatter seas. Most of the boats followed this strategy and did well. We were moving so much slower than other boats, I might have had kelp on the rudder, but I never checked.  Another option to help get through the waves would have been to sheet out a little more on the jib and move the fairlead a little more forward to create a rounder sail for more power when going into the waves.  Falling off a little would have allowed us to take the waves at an angle rather than straight on.

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 _)                        _)        (_                       _)                      _)               (_            _)                     _)                     (_

The Green Committee with the support of the SCYC board is installing a water container refill station by the regatta shed.  We all hate seeing plastic trash in the ocean.  This is one small step in that direction which will be paid for by donations.

The water station will support YOU and your race crews by:

·  Providing a convenient way to refill reusable water bottles at Regatta Office

·  Helping sailors stay hydrated with great tasting water

·  Reducing trash in the harbor and ocean

 

Interested in donating?  Here is what you need to know:

• Estimated budget is $6,000.  Green Committee have already raised over $2,500 from generous club members.  Project will be funded solely by donations.
• Email green@scyc.org  with donation amount (any amount is appreciated), membership name, boat name, and include “Green 2023” in email.
• Donations will be invoiced to your account (similar to b
• ar/dining tab).   If you or a crew member prefer to donate by check or other credit card,  please let green team know.
• Station is a built-to-last Elkay Outdoor Station Station  Details: https://www.elkay.com/products/details/LK4405BF and Carbon Filtration Kit https://www.elkay.com/products/details/EWF172.

 

All donations, regardless of amount, will make a difference.  If you would like more details about the project, reach out to green@scyc.org or email maryeculley@gmail.com

 

THANK YOU for your consideration!

 

BARBECUE NEXT TUESDAY:

Next week is the last Tuesday of the month meaning barbecue at the club after the race.  Bring your best food for grilling.  It is always a popular event.

ABSENCE:

I will be away for the next 3 weeks but the races will continue.  Chris Hofmann will be setting up and calling the courses and writing the blog.  Chris has been a critical factor in the success of our Tuesday sailing events. Thank you, Chris, for keeping the races going.

Barry Keeler

Ssailing Pair A Dice